Rules of the Road for Cyclists

Safety Practices

Wear a reflector vest or bright colored clothing when riding at night.

Add a bell to your bicycle to be heard.

Always carry identification on you.

Always carry a cell phone device in case of emergencies.

Watch out for people opening car doors.

Be on the lookout for and avoid road hazards such as: loose sand, rocks, glass, debris, standing water and puddles.

Be extra careful when cycling in the rain.

CYCLIST TRAFFIC LAWS

A person operating a bicycle has the same rights and duties as a driver operating a vehicle. Cyclists must stop at signs and red lights, but cars are required to yield right-of-way to a cyclist when appropriate.

A cyclist shall ride only with a leg on each side of a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle.

A person may not use a bicycle to carry more than the bicycle is designed or equipped to carry.

The person operating the bicycle must have at least one hand on the handlebars of the bicycle.

Persons operating bicycles on a roadway may ride alongside each other in a single lane as long as they do not impede the normal flow of traffic. no more than two persons may ride alongside each other unless they are part of a roadway exclusively for the operations of bicycles.

A person operating a bicycle on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway and in the same direction as traffic, unless:

The person is passing another vehicle moving in the same direction

The person is preparing to turn left at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway

A condition on or of the roadway, including a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, or surface hazard prevents the person from safely riding next to the right curb or edge of the roadway

The person is operating a bicycle lane that is less than 14 feet in width and does not have a designated bicycle lane adjacent to that lane; or too narrow for a bicycle and motor vehicle to safely travel side by side

Cyclists should give hand and arm signals as follows:

To make a left turn signal, extend hand and arm horizontally to the left;

To make a right turn signal, extend hand and arm upward on the left side of the bicycle or you may signal from the right side with a hand and arm extended horizontally; and

To stop or decrease speed, extend hand and arm downward.

A person may not operate a bicycle unless the bicycle is equipped with a brake capable of making a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

A person may not operate a bicycle at nighttime unless the bicycle is equipped with a white reflector/light on the front of the bicycle and a red reflector/light on the back.

Parents or guardians of a child may not knowingly permit the child to violate these laws.